By Debbie Schlussel

Two of my favorite singers, Gregg Allman and Chris Cornell, died over the last ten days. They are both stark examples of talented artists who also lived too hard and then died hard.

Both were addicts and had messy lives.

Cornell, of Soundgarden and Audioslave fame, committed suicide at age 52, but he had a life of severe, multiple addictions. And even recovering addicts often have messed up minds. Why else would he commit the most selfish act possible, especially for a married father of kids? While there are worse fates than hanging one’s self in a hotel room in Detroit, it’s a pretty dark ending. It’s trite but perhaps true that it takes a tortured mind to produce some of the kind of work he did.

My favorite Soundgarden/Cornell song is “Fell on Black Days.” I’ve posted it on this site before, and it’s part of my workout music. It’s posted below. Although I mostly loathe the “grunge,” Seattle scene kind of music, that song is my kind of rock, as is some of Cornell’s other Soundgarden stuff. Written by Cornell, the lyrics of Fell on Black Days now seem darker and, sadly, kind of prophetic about his untimely end. His funeral was Friday.

Fell on Black Days . . .

I also like this live semi-acoustic version from the Kevin & Bean Show on KROQ-FM . . .

Allman also led a hard life. He died yesterday at age 69. That’s still relatively young. And he died of liver cancer, after getting a liver transplant, which could have been avoided. He, too, had multiple, repeat addictions throughout his life. He was addicted to heroin and other substances and was in rehab 11 times. He was also divorced six times, married seven times, and had five children with five different women. (There is no way he was able to be an adequate father to five different families. Not possible. So, those kids are probably all messed up.) On top of that, he contracted hepatitis C from a dirty tattoo needle. He also turned stoolie to avoid jail time and testified against his road manager, who was later sentenced to 75 years in prison for narcotics distribution. None of that “ride or die” stuff is admirable or conducive to a long and healthy life. His life was hard from the start, though, as his father was murdered by a hitchhiker when Allman was only two years old.

Allman’s rough and tumble life can be heard in his music, and it exudes from the Southern rock sound he created. You may not know this, but Allman told CBS News that he was accepted into medical school with plans to become a “dental surgeon.” His brother, Duane Allman, convinced him to go on the road for a little bit, just to try it. But, soon, he was so broke that he couldn’t afford to go back to school. His politics weren’t great–he was a Jimmy Carter guy.

My two favorite Allman Brothers songs, “Midnight Rider” and “Ramblin’ Man,” were hits when I was very little, but the bluesy rhythm always appealed to me (and both songs are also part of my workout music). I liked Allman’s husky voice, and I love the Midnight Rider mood–an apparent outlaw who is desperate (down to his last silver dollar) and on the run with nothing of his own. That’s also my kind of rock. Allman supposedly wrote Midnight Rider, but the lyrics credits only bear the name of bandmate Dickie Betts.

Midnight Rider . . .

Ramblin’ Man . . .

Their lifestyles weren’t the kind that make America great. But their music was. At least, if you are from my generation.

Gregg Allman and Chris Cornell Rest In Peace.

From the late ’80s, Gregg Allman – I’m No Angel . . .